On Saturday, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-0) defeated the Akron Zips (0-2), 49-17, to capture a Week 2 victory in their college football matchup. Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai rushed for a career-high 208 yards and three touchdowns to help the Scarlet Knights secure the non-conference win. Rutgers improved to 2-0 for the fourth straight season and have rushed for 614 yards through two games.
Monangai averaged 7.7 yards per carry on the ground during his career outing, including a career-long 62-yard rush in the first half. With his 208 yards on the ground, Monangai became the first player since 2014 to go over 200 yards for Rutgers in a single game.
Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis finished Saturday’s game with 14 completions for 230 yards and three touchdowns. He found wide receiver KJ Duff, Chris Long, and tight end Kenny Fletcher on scoring plays.
Rutgers’ victory on Saturday marked the first time in program history the Scarlet Knights scored 40 or more points in each of its first two games. The team produced touchdowns on six consecutive drives to pull away from the Zips.
On defense, defensive back Desmond Igbinosun led the Scarlet Knights in tackles with six. Rutgers held the Zips for 307 yards (151 passing and 156 rushing) in the football game.
DIFFERENT 😤@kylemonangai | @bigten pic.twitter.com/YzLPsSy1Rw
— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) September 8, 2024
Rutgers strikes first
After a missed field goal by Akron, Rutgers logged a six-play, 76-yard scoring drive, capped by a three-yard rushing touchdown from Monangai. Monangai’s touchdown gave the Scarlet Knights an early 7-0 lead. The former Don Bosco Prep prospect tallied a 46-yard rush during the drive, which gave the Scarlet Knights the advantage right before the second quarter.
Rutgers extends their lead in the second quarter
The Zips cut the Scarlet Knights’ lead in the second quarter when Akron logged a field goal. Akron went on an eight-play, 37-yard drive leading to three points by kicker Garrison Smith (7-3).
The Scarlet Knights offense exploded in the second quarter, closing the quarter with back-to-back touchdowns in the final two minutes of the opening half. Kaliakmanis and Duff connected in the back of the endzone to give Rutgers a 14-3 lead with 1:54 remaining before halftime. Duff’s touchdown was his first touchdown reception of his career.
After Duff’s touchdown, Rutgers held the Zips to a three-and-out on their next possession. Kaliakmanis lead the RU offense on a 10-play scoring drive, completing four passes for 61 yards to set up a Monangai one-yard touchdown run. The score with nine seconds on the clock gave the Scarlet Knights a 21-3 lead at the half.
Vibes 💯 pic.twitter.com/2QG2yxIjDy
— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) September 8, 2024
The Scarlet Knights added to their lead in the third quarter
Akron came out strong in the second half, cutting Rutgers’ lead to 21-10. The Zips scored first to begin the second half, but RU responded with a 12-play, 75-yard scoring drive.
Again, Kaliakmanis led the Rutgers offense through the air, connecting with wide receiver Dymere Miller for 22 yards to cross midfield. Meanwhile, Monangai led the Scarlet Knights on the ground, rushing six times inside the Zips’ territory to capture his third touchdown of the afternoon.
Monangai’s two-yard score made it 28-10 Rutgers with 4:56 left in the quarter. With 46 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Kaliakmanis found Long for a 58-yard touchdown pass, putting RU up 35-10 heading into the fourth.
Long ball 💯 @aajk_23 | @Wakeemupchris pic.twitter.com/B7Mrn6XjeG
— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) September 7, 2024
Rutgers finishes strong
The Rutgers offense continued to churn out points in the final 15 minutes of the football game, as Kaliakmanis tossed his third touchdown throw of the afternoon.
The Scarlet Knights produced their first takeaway of the game when defensive back Shaquan Loyal picked off Akron quarterback Ben Finley to set up Rutgers in the red zone. Running back Antwan Raymond recorded the final points of the day for the Scarlet Knights with a one-yard touchdown, giving Rutgers a 49-10 advantage.
While the Zips added a touchdown later in the quarter, RU would run out the clock and secure the 49-17 victory.
Mike Cavallo
A sportswriter for The League Winners covering all Rutgers athletics. Follow my social media page for all coverage of Rutgers sports. X (Twitter): @M_Cavs55